cannot borrow enough

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot borrow enough" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is expressing a limitation in their ability to obtain or acquire something, often related to finances or resources. Example: "Due to the high costs of living, many students feel they cannot borrow enough to cover their tuition fees."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Belarus cannot borrow enough to cover this.

The Guardian - Opinion

In addition, the Treasury Department will create a so-called Secured Lending Credit Facility, a backup source of borrowing for the companies in the event that they cannot borrow enough money on the open market to finance their main business of buying mortgages and reselling them as pools of mortgage-backed securities.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I speak to a lot of people that have graduated, and they cannot find jobs that will allow them to borrow enough.

BBC

Most lenders cannot borrow without state guarantees.

The Economist

Many businesses cannot borrow or make payroll.

The New York Times

If women cannot borrow, they cannot invest in their future.

The Economist

Local governments cannot borrow directly so they borrow through investment vehicles instead.

The Economist

You cannot borrow your way out of debt.

The New Yorker

Businesses cannot borrow to start up and expand.

The New York Times

If they cannot borrow money, they are in trouble.

The New York Times

"You cannot borrow your way out of a borrowing crisis," Mr. Cameron said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cannot borrow enough", ensure the context clearly indicates what the borrowed funds are intended for to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify "cannot borrow enough to cover expenses" or "cannot borrow enough for the project".

Common error

Avoid using "cannot borrow enough" without specifying the purpose or amount needed. This can make the statement too general and lack impact. Instead of saying "The company cannot borrow enough", provide context: "The company cannot borrow enough to finance its expansion plans".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot borrow enough" functions as a declarative statement expressing a limitation or inability to obtain the necessary amount of funds through borrowing. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a usable phrase in English. The examples show how different entities, such as individuals or countries, face this borrowing constraint.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot borrow enough" is a grammatically sound expression used to indicate a limitation in accessing sufficient funds through borrowing. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. While relatively rare in occurrence, it commonly appears in News & Media contexts to convey financial constraints faced by individuals, businesses, or governments. Related phrases include "unable to borrow sufficiently" and "cannot secure enough funding". When using the phrase, it's best to provide context to clarify the purpose of the borrowing. In essence, this phrase succinctly communicates the inability to acquire the necessary capital through loans or other forms of credit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to borrow sufficiently

Formal alternative, replacing "cannot" with "unable" and "enough" with "sufficiently".

cannot secure enough funding

Focuses on the securing of funding, a specific type of borrowing.

cannot obtain sufficient credit

Replaces "borrow" with "obtain credit" and "enough" with "sufficient".

unable to acquire enough capital

More formal and business-oriented, using "acquire capital" instead of "borrow enough".

cannot raise sufficient funds

Focuses on the action of raising funds, implying an attempt to borrow.

unable to get sufficient loans

More specific, referring to loans as the method of borrowing.

cannot access enough credit

Focuses on the accessibility of credit, implying a limitation.

cannot find enough lenders

Shifts the focus to the availability of lenders willing to provide funds.

unable to finance adequately

Focuses on the ability to finance, suggesting a shortfall in borrowing capacity.

cannot meet borrowing requirements

Focuses on failing to meet specific lending requirements.

FAQs

What does it mean to say someone "cannot borrow enough"?

It means that an individual, organization, or entity is unable to secure the necessary amount of funds through borrowing to meet their needs or achieve a specific goal.

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot borrow enough"?

You can use alternatives like "unable to secure sufficient funds", "cannot obtain enough credit", or "unable to acquire enough capital" depending on the context.

How to use "cannot borrow enough" in a sentence?

You can use it in sentences like: "Due to the economic downturn, many businesses "cannot borrow enough" to stay afloat" or "The student "cannot borrow enough" to cover tuition and living expenses".

Which is correct, "cannot borrow enough" or "can't borrow enough"?

Both are correct; "cannot borrow enough" is more formal, while "can't borrow enough" is a contraction and is more informal. The choice depends on the context and desired tone.